3,475 new cases push Philippines’ COVID-19 tally to over 290,000

The Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tally leapt to 290,190 after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 3,475 additional infections on Monday, the 14th consecutive day in which more than 3,000 new cases were reported.

Metro Manila still logged the highest number of new infections at 1,543, followed by Batangas with 194, Rizal with 192, Cavite with 166, and Cebu with 165.

Seventy-six percent or 2,648 of the newly reported cases contracted COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

Total recoveries also rose to 230,233 after 400 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 4,999 with 15 new fatalities.

“Moreover, 13 cases previously reported as recovered were reclassified as deaths (12) and active (1) cases after final validation,” the DOH added.

The other 54,958 are active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 86.6 percent of which are mild, 8.9 percent are asymptomatic, 1.4 percent are severe, and 3.1 percent are in critical condition.

As of September 20, the Philippines had 129 licensed laboratories that had tested over 3.1 million individuals while 48 percent of COVID-19 intensive care unit beds nationwide were occupied and 26 percent of mechanical ventilators were in use.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has eased travel restrictions for Filipino healthcare workers seeking to work abroad. 

Duterte is expected to deliver his weekly address to the nation from his hometown of Davao City later on Monday.—LDF, GMA News